And it was Parkin who eventually made the breakthrough, turning at the back post and slamming the ball into the far corner of the net.

The home side did not leave it long to bag a second goal. Sunderland's Mikael Mandron shrugged off the challenge of Jack Baldwin, charging forward and slipping a pass to Blackburn midfielder Marrow who scored with a neat finish to mark the start of his second spell at Highbury.

Andy Monkhouse tried to haul Hartlepool back into it, rattling the woodwork from 30 yards out.

But it was Fleetwood who should have added to their tally. Substitute Gareth Evans charged clear only to have his goal-bound effort deflected behind.